Metamorphosis (Rolling Stones album)

Untitled

For other works by this name, see Metamorphosis (disambiguation).

Metamorphosis is the third compilation album of Rolling Stones music released by former manager Allen Klein's ABKCO Records (who usurped control of the band's Decca/London material in 1970) after the band's departure from Decca and Klein. Released in 1975, Metamorphosis centers on outtakes and alternate versions of well-known songs recorded from 1964 to 1970.

History

After the release of Hot Rocks 1964-1971 in 1971, an album entitled Necrophelia was compiled for release as the follow-up, featuring many previously unheard tunes. While that project failed to materialize - with More Hot Rocks (Big Hits & Fazed Cookies) being released in its place - most of the unreleased songs were held over for a future project. In 1974, in order to give it an air of authority, Bill Wyman involved himself in compiling an album he entitled Black Box. However, Allen Klein wanted more Mick Jagger/Keith Richard songs in the project for monetary reasons, and Wyman's version remained unreleased. Metamorphosis was issued in its place.

Most tracks that appear on side one of the vinyl album (thus all tracks up until "Try a Little Harder") are mainly demo songs, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards for other artists to perform. They were mostly recorded by session musicians like Big Jim Sullivan (who plays the pedal steel guitar sounding guitar parts), Clem Cattini on drums, and Jimmy Page on guitar. On most of these tracks the only Rolling Stones member that appears is Mick Jagger. While "Out Of Time" and "Heart Of Stone" were already well-known, they appear here in drastically different renditions, alongside several other obscure recordings created up until the Sticky Fingers sessions of 1970.

Released in June 1975, Metamorphosis came out the same day as the band's authorized hits collection Made in the Shade and was also seen to be cashing in on The Rolling Stones' summer Tour of the Americas. While the critical reaction was lukewarm (many felt some of the songs were best left unreleased), Metamorphosis still managed to reach #8 in the US, though it only made #45 in the UK. Two singles, "Out Of Time" and a cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Don't Know Why" briefly made the singles charts.

Upon its initial release, Metamorphosis was released with 16 songs in the UK, while the American edition had only 13.

In August 2002, the full UK edition of Metamorphosis was issued - for the first time - in a new remastered CD and SACD digipak by ABKCO Records.

The album's cover art alludes to Franz Kafka's novel: The Metamorphosis.

Track listing

All songs by Mick Jagger and Keith Richard, except where noted.

1. "Out of Time" – 3:22
   • The demo - with Mick Jagger on lead vocal - for Chris Farlowe's hit single version, recorded 27-30 April 1966
2. "Don't Lie To Me" (Chuck Berry) – 2:00
   • Recorded on 12 May 1964
   • Incorrectly credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards on the album
3. "Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind" – 2:25
   • Recorded on 13 February 1964
4. "Each And Everyday Of The Year" – 2:48
   • Recorded in early September 1964
5. "Heart of Stone" – 3:47
   • Recorded 21 - 23 July 1964 with Jimmy Page on guitar and Clem Cattini on drums
6. "I'd Much Rather Be With The Boys" – 2:11
   • Recorded in February 1965
7. "(Walkin' Thru The) Sleepy City" – 2:51
   • Recorded in early September 1964
8. "We're Wastin' Time" – 2:42
   • Recorded in early September 1964
   • Tracks 3, 7 and 8 were not released on the American edition of Metamorphosis in 1975
9. "Try a Little Harder" – 2:17
   • Recorded on 13 February 1964
10. "I Don't Know Why" (Stevie Wonder/Paul Riser/Don Hunter/Lula Hardaway) – 3:01
    • Recorded on 3 July 1969, the same night that Brian Jones died. The music after the stop was spliced in at a later stage. The second slide guitar solo is a copy of the first solo
11. "If You Let Me" – 3:17
    • An Aftermath outtake, recorded 3 - 6 March 1966
12. "Jiving Sister Fanny" – 2:45
    • Recorded in June 1969
13. "Downtown Suzie" (Bill Wyman) – 3:52
    • Recorded on 23 April 1969 under the original title "Sweet Lyle Lucie". It features Ry Cooder on open G tuned guitar, and is in fact the very first Rolling Stones track recorded in open G-tuning
14. "Family" – 4:05
    • Recorded on 28 June 1968
15. "Memo From Turner" – 2:45
    • Recorded on 17 November 1968, it is unknown who plays on this song
16. "I'm Going Down" – 2:52
    • Recorded 14 - 15 July 1970 as a Sticky Fingers outtake

Charts

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1975	UK Top 50 Albums	45
1975	Billboard Pop Albums	8

Single

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1975	"I Don't Know Why"	The Billboard Hot 100	42
1975	"Out Of Time"	The Billboard Hot 100	81
1975	"Out Of Time"	UK Top 50 Singles	45